Yoghurt – which has as much sugar as Coca-Cola – is just one product to blame for New Zealanders’ average 37 teaspoons of added sugar per day – a leading scientist says.

Professor Mike Berridge – a founding scientist at the Malaghan Institute of Medical Research – has written a new book with Victoria University’s Associate Professor of Taxation – Lisa Marriott – called Sugar, Rum and Tobacco Taxes and Public Health in New Zealand.

Professor Mike Berridge told Sunday Morning New Zealand’s sugar consumption was a staggering six times the World Health Organisation’s recommendation of six teaspoons a day and just three for children.

He said sugar has become so common place it’s virtually in every processed food.

‘The amount of sugar in virtually everything we eat – including bread – crackers – biscuits and it all adds up’.

‘Each one of those adds teaspoons of sugar so it’s not difficult to see that you’re building up to way above World Health Organisation recommendations.

‘If you sought out six teaspoons of sugar in what you’re eating – you probably wouldn’t finish breakfast before you’d hit the mark’.